“Fish and seafood is one of the largest single food commodities exported by Canada. The strong exports in 2012 demonstrate the trust consumers place in our fish and seafood products worldwide,” says Keith Ashfield, minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

“The sector currently employs approximately 80,000 Canadians who are involved in commercial fishing, aquaculture and processing activities.”

Approximately 62 per cent of those exports were destined for the U.S. at a value of $2.6 billion.

The People’s Republic of China and the E.U. are also significant markets, importing more than $439 million and $343 million worth of Canadian fish and seafood products, respectively, in 2012.

Canada’s largest exports by value were lobster, snow/queen crab, Atlantic salmon, and shrimp. In 2012, these species accounted for 48 per cent (284 tonnes) of all fish and seafood exports by volume and 61 per cent ($2.5 billion) of the total value of exports.